[right][h2][color=8493ca]Caught in a Snare[/color][/h2][@DaftJive][@Tlazolteotl][/right]

[color=8493ca]Damien watched as his mother left the enclosure. Then, he let out a long breath that he didn't know he'd been holding and rested his head forward against his chains. He sat there for a moment, breathing and trying not to cry. His heart reached for his mother shamelessly.

Damien pulled himself together and sat upright. He shifted in the chains until they loosened a bit. It was enough give to breathe better, but not quite enough to escape. He struggled, then paused. Struggle, then pause. And again, each time his efforts growing stronger.[/color]

[color=000000][b]"Even if you [i]did[/i] escape, you'd never make enough."[/b][/color] [color=8493ca]The tail had appeared again, teasing torment from the shadows at the edge of the enclosed space.[/color] [color=000000][b]"You have a [i][u]job[/u][/i] to do, don't you remember? Without me, you wouldn't be able to fund more than a week of your mother's care."[/b][/color] [color=8493ca]Damien pushed harder against the chains, closing his eyes and grunting with the effort.[/color] [color=000000][b]"Think carefully, Damien. Your mother, or your friends?"[/b][/color]

[color=8493ca][i]Both,[/i] he thought helplessly. Why couldn't he have both? He had the skillset. He had the motivation, the drive. How come what he did never seemed to be enough? It didn't matter that Viné's words weren't fully rational. Damien was past that.

Tears threatened to push past his eyelids shut against Viné's presence. He pushed with all his might against the chains, movements becoming more crazed with each attempt. Despite his efforts, the chains had not loosened any more. Damien shouted in rage as he kept trying anyway, the chain links beginning to bruise the skin beneath his fur.[/color]